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IAEA, Fukushima Prefecture Sign Cooperation Memorandum

Saturday 15 December 2012 0:00 CET

2012/34

Koriyama Fukushima Prefecture Japan

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano and the Governor of Fukushima Prefecture, Yuhei Sato, today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation confirming their willingness to implement concrete projects to help alleviate the consequences of the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

The Memorandum, signed on the sidelines of the three-day Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety, includes arrangements to promote cooperation in two key areas: one on radiation monitoring and remediation between the IAEA and Fukushima Prefecture, and the other on human health between the IAEA and Fukushima Medical University.

The Memorandum also highlights plans for a training centre in Fukushima Prefecture to help reinforce emergency preparedness and response activities, supported by the Government of Japan and Fukushima Prefecture. An IAEA Response and Assistance Network (RANET) Capacity Building Centre will be designated, with IAEA radiation monitoring equipment to be deployed in case of need, and to provide training in emergency preparedness and response in Japan and the Asia Pacific region.

"With this framework, the wisdom of the international community as well as the IAEA will be utilised in the process of reconstruction in Fukushima," said Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Koichiro Gemba, who attended the signing ceremony.

"I'm very much encouraged by the conclusion of this Memorandum and I believe this will serve to promote reconstruction in Fukushima," said Governor Sato. "We will also be able to disseminate to the rest of the world the knowledge and experience to be gained from the activities that we are conducting, and we hope this will be a symbol of Fukushima."

"The IAEA has expertise in the areas of remediation and decontamination, as well as environmental monitoring and human health," said Director General Amano. "It is our hope that we will support Fukushima and at the same time serve as a bridge connecting the Prefecture and the world."

The Fukushima Ministerial Conference, which started on Saturday, is organised by the Government of Japan in co-sponsorship with the IAEA.